My early morning routine - after pouring myself a cup of java - includes checking the temperature, inside and out. My body generally tells me whether the furnace or air conditioning needs to be turned up or down. Okay...so...I know what you're thinking, and yes, we do have a thermostat that automatically adjusts to a certain temperature after it's programmed. But twice a year, as the seasons change, it takes a while for me to figure out how to program the contraption. You'd think I'd eventually learn (and remember) this, but let's just say that I'm a bit electronically challenged. So, I find myself manually increasing or decreasing the thermostat for a while until I take the time to learn how to program it...again! Next, I check the outside thermometer, and while there is nothing for me to program there, I still like to see the readings. How cold (or hot) is it now? How cold did it get the night before? And what is the humidity?
My final move, with coffee in hand, is to open my Bible and mediate on what God shows me for the new day. It then becomes clear that my heart is much like the external gauges. As a Christian, the Holy Spirit plays that role in my life. He constantly shows me the temperature of my heart. Is it cold and calloused from allowing anger to get a foothold in my life? Is it lukewarm with an attitude of indifference? Or is it on fire for the Savior that I love so much? A short time in his presence quickly shows me the temperature of my heart. Sometimes, he convicts me of an unkind word spoken in anger; or he shows me that I have not spent enough time in his presence, seeking his advice. Proverbs 21:2 tells me that every man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord actually weighs each heart. So, I want to make sure that as God examines my heart, it is right in his sight.
And then, sometimes in my daily devotions, God just showers me with his unconditional love. While I welcome them all, this is the one I love the most!
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